Nitrate and nitrite
Lexington
Nitrate and nitrite enter water from fertilizer runoff, septic tanks and urban runoff. These contaminants can cause oxygen deprivation for infants and increase the risk of cancer. Nitrite is significantly more toxic than nitrate. Click here to read more about nitrate.
30
Samples
0
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
30
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.810 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.280 ppm - 1.40 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.990 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.260 ppm - 1.70 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.870 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.260 ppm - 1.70 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.914 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.200 ppm - 1.50 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.876 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.260 ppm - 1.50 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.752 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.280 ppm - 1.40 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.14 ppm
The health guideline of 0.14 parts per million, or ppm, for nitrate and nitrite is based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. This guideline represents a one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 10 ppm
ppm = parts per million
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-08-11 | AI49180 | 1.30 ppm |
| 2014-08-11 | AI49179 | 0.770 ppm |
| 2014-08-11 | AI49178 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2014-08-11 | AI49177 | 0.300 ppm |
| 2014-08-11 | AI49176 | 0.280 ppm |
| 2015-08-03 | AI85130 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2015-08-03 | AI85129 | 1.70 ppm |
| 2015-08-03 | AI85128 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2015-08-03 | AI85127 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2015-08-03 | AI85126 | 0.790 ppm |
| 2016-08-08 | AJ21597 | 0.340 ppm |
| 2016-08-08 | AJ21601 | 0.950 ppm |
| 2016-08-08 | AJ21600 | 1.70 ppm |
| 2016-08-08 | AJ21599 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2016-08-08 | AJ21598 | 1.10 ppm |
| 2017-08-07 | AJ63133 | 0.270 ppm |
| 2017-08-07 | AJ63132 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2017-08-07 | AJ63131 | 1.20 ppm |
| 2017-08-07 | AJ63130 | 0.200 ppm |
| 2017-08-07 | AJ63129 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2018-08-13 | AJ97576 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2018-08-13 | AJ97575 | 0.320 ppm |
| 2018-08-13 | AJ97574 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2018-08-13 | AJ97573 | 1.50 ppm |
| 2018-08-13 | AJ97569 | 0.900 ppm |
| 2019-07-29 | AK23797 | 1.40 ppm |
| 2019-07-29 | AK23801 | 0.280 ppm |
| 2019-07-29 | AK23800 | 0.790 ppm |
| 2019-07-29 | AK23799 | 0.290 ppm |
| 2019-07-29 | AK23798 | 1.000 ppm |